Car prang grounds Luque

Sunday 29 January 2006 00:11 BST

Spanish international Albert Luque missed Newcastle's flight to Germany after being involved in a traffic accident on his way to the airport.

The £9.5million signing from Deportivo La Coruna was unhurt in the incident, which is understood to have happened as he headed for Newcastle International Airport to join up with the rest of the squad as they travelled out for Thursday's UEFA Cup clash against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Luque is expected to travel to Germany on another flight later on Wednesday and is likely to start the Group H match as the Magpies attempt to clinch top spot.

Meanwhile, James Milner is battling against a hip problem ahead of the clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.